God doesn't need to know what time it is.

I would put watch nerds and vacuum tube nerds in the same category.  Both very detailed and chasing some version of a perfect synergy.  Please take "nerd" as a term of endearment.  

I do appreciate a unique watch but would never spend good $ on one, and I agree that they are not about the current time.  I visualize an independent watchmaker at his/her bench with the same level of skill and enthusiasm for craft as all the images of Nelson Pass at his bench.  Both take science and turn it into art.    

Probably the best and most functional watch I've ever owned was a "Casio - Moon Phase" back-lit LED, I think that was the name.  Cost was $12.95.   Never had to replace the battery.  I would use the stopwatch function to race myself  to work every day, got to be a real "thing".  I realized it was really getting reckless and so I took the watch off my wrist while riding and tossed it in the woods.  Pleasant trips after that.  Haven't worn a watch since...that was 1982!

Regards,

barts 

You can buy a nice house for$1.6 million.  Perhaps, call it the House Collection on a Wrist?

Great story isochronism.

It raises an important question...

Just who would I pick, If I could choose any of the greats for a one on one?

"Wristwatches were made so one would not need to to reach into their pocket for the time. Now it has come full circle where people reach back into their pocket."

That is one of the reasons I wear a watch. I just don't  have the wrist or wallet to wear a cool one as the Submariner or Daytona!

A watch keeps time. A Rolex is a piece of jewelry that also keeps time. 

Some folks like to wear jewelry, some like to look at appreciate it & some do both.

You can buy a decent watch that keeps better time than a Rolex for under $100 & requires no maintenance. It may not be as beautiful & probably won't last generations. Its sort of like cars. You can buy an American or Japanese sports car that will be as fast as all but a very few Ferrari's or Lamborghini"s but nowhere near as beautifully hand made or last as long.

Some of us are willing to pay for beauty & artistry in the audio world  too & thus this forum.